Gender impact on educational attainment
Girls Boys
In School Factors
Subcultures: Subcultures:
Mirza: Myth of underachievement (black Willis: Learning to labour
girls) – schools racist but pro-education Mac An Ghaill: Three F’s
Jackson: Ladettes Sewell: Cultural comfort zones – lack
Archer: Hypersexualisation discipline due to no father figure
Aspirations: Aspirations:
Mirza: Go against underachieving Francis: Boys have unrealistic job
stereotype expectations that don’t require academics
Sharpe: ‘Just like a girl’ (footballer)
Teacher input: Teacher input:
Arnott: Majority of teachers are female Mitsos & Brown: Teachers less critical of
(95% in primary, 67% in secondary) boys (work rushed/late & disruptive
Skelton: Girls have role models due to behaviour)
female centric teaching. Culley: Boys dominate teachers time
Out of School Factors
The role of primary socialisation: The role of primary socialisation:
Oakley: Girls are socialised into more Oakley: Boys encouraged to do
academic activities (reading & writing) adventurous activities outside – struggle to
Hannan: Girls find it easier to relate to adapt to classroom.
school norms Sewell: Triple Quandry Theory (lack of male
role model at home, glamorisation of gang
culture & institutional racism)
Girls Boys
In School Factors
Subcultures: Subcultures:
Mirza: Myth of underachievement (black Willis: Learning to labour
girls) – schools racist but pro-education Mac An Ghaill: Three F’s
Jackson: Ladettes Sewell: Cultural comfort zones – lack
Archer: Hypersexualisation discipline due to no father figure
Aspirations: Aspirations:
Mirza: Go against underachieving Francis: Boys have unrealistic job
stereotype expectations that don’t require academics
Sharpe: ‘Just like a girl’ (footballer)
Teacher input: Teacher input:
Arnott: Majority of teachers are female Mitsos & Brown: Teachers less critical of
(95% in primary, 67% in secondary) boys (work rushed/late & disruptive
Skelton: Girls have role models due to behaviour)
female centric teaching. Culley: Boys dominate teachers time
Out of School Factors
The role of primary socialisation: The role of primary socialisation:
Oakley: Girls are socialised into more Oakley: Boys encouraged to do
academic activities (reading & writing) adventurous activities outside – struggle to
Hannan: Girls find it easier to relate to adapt to classroom.
school norms Sewell: Triple Quandry Theory (lack of male
role model at home, glamorisation of gang
culture & institutional racism)
